It wasn’t pretty, but the defense stepped up when it had two. Dallas is 6-0 on the road.

2

New England Patriots

10-2

—

The Patriots passed their first post-Gronk test with ease, beating the Rams in Foxboro, but they’ll need more from Martellus Bennett (two catches, four yards) over the final month of the season.

3

Oakland Raiders

10-2

—

The Raiders trailed the Bills 24-9 in the third quarter but responded with 31 unanswered points. That works.

4

Seattle Seahawks

8-3-1

—

Earl Thomas will be missed, but the offense finally looks explosive.

5

Kansas City Chiefs

9-3

—

You have to feel good for Eric Berry. Even if you’re a Falcons fan, you have to feel good for Eric Berry.

6

Denver Broncos

8-4

▲ 1

Devontae Booker found the end zone Sunday, but the Broncos need to get their ground game rolling. Booker rushing 18 times for 35 yards against Jacksonville ain’t scaring nobody.

7

Detroit Lions

8-4

▲ 2

If you hold the Saints to 13 in the Superdome, you’re doing something right. That’s four straight wins for Detroit.

8

Pittsburgh Steelers

7-5

▲ 4

Le’Veon Bell is averaging 146.4 total yards in nine games this season. Pittsburgh has won three straight.

9

New York Giants

8-4

▼ 3

The Giants may have been exposed a bit in Pittsburgh, but they’ll have a chance to prove us wrong soon. They have home games against Dallas and Detroit over the next two weeks.

10

Atlanta Falcons

7-5

▼ 2

The offense is explosive, but it’s tough to overcome a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit against the Chiefs.

11

Baltimore Ravens

7-5

▲ 2

Joe Flacco’s four touchdown throws were his most since throwing five against Tampa Bay in October 2014.

12

Miami Dolphins

7-5

▼ 2

Miami mustered just six points in Baltimore and saw its six-game winning streak come to an end. The margin of defeat (32) almost equaled the margin of defeat of the Dolphins’ previous four losses combined (37).

13

Washington Redskins

6-5-1

▼ 2

Washington has lost back-to-back road games, albeit against solid competition. The Eagles should provide less resistance in Philadelphia this Sunday.

14

Tennessee Titans

6-6

▲ 1

The Titans have alternated wins and losses for six consecutive games. A win against Denver would give Tennessee its second two-game winning streak of the season.

15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

7-5

▲ 1

With four straight wins, the Bucs are suddenly in business in the NFC South.

16

Green Bay Packers

6-6

▲ 3

Not the prettiest game from Aaron Rodgers, but a win is a win. Another W over Seattle on Sunday would be enormous.

17

Indianapolis Colts

6-6

▲ 3

T.Y. Hilton moved the sticks, and Dwayne Allen was money in the red zone. We’ve got a horse race in the AFC South.

18

Buffalo Bills

6-6

▼ 4

For as good as the Bills’ defense can be, it’s also looked helpless at times. In fact, Buffalo has allowed 31+ points in four of its six losses.

19

Houston Texans

6-6

▼ 2

The Texans are 5-1 at home and 1-5 on the road.

20

Arizona Cardinals

5-6-1

▲ 2

Another big day from David Johnson (175 total yards, two touchdowns), another win. That’s a simple yet effective strategy.

21

Minnesota Vikings

6-6

▼ 3

The Vikings have scored 16 points or fewer in five of their last seven games. That’s why they’re in free fall.

22

New Orleans Saints

5-7

▼ 1

Drew Brees’ Superdome touchdown streak ended at 60 games, and New Orleans has lost three of four.

23

Cincinnati Bengals

4-7-1

▲ 3

With a home win over Philadelphia, the Bengals beat a non-Browns team for the first time since September. Riveting.

24

San Diego Chargers

5-7

▼ 1

The Chargers were outplayed in the fourth quarter (again) and lost (again).

25

Philadelphia Eagles

5-7

▼ 1

The Eagles have lost seven of nine overall and three straight by double digits.

26

Carolina Panthers

4-8

▼ 1

In a game it had to win, Carolina gave up 40. That’s about all you need to know about the fight this team has – or lacks – at this point in the season.

27

Chicago Bears

3-9

▲ 2

Nothing like a visit from the Niners to snap a three-game skid. The losing should resume in Detroit this Sunday

28

Los Angeles Rams

4-8

▼ 1

The Rams have lost seven of eight, and the honeymoon is officially over.

29

New York Jets

3-9

▼ 1

Has there been a more embarrassing prime-time performance this season?

30

Jacksonville Jaguars

2-10

—

Let’s see: 1-5 at home, 1-5 on the road, losers of seven straight. That about sums it up.

31

San Francisco 49ers

1-11

—

If you lose by 20 to the Bears, you may want to consider forfeiting the rest of the season.